NEW YORK — Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who has been New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams’ high advisor for years, introduced her retirement on Sunday, efficient instantly.
The announcement got here as Manhattan prosecutors investigating corruption allegations towards her have reportedly introduced proof to a grand jury.
In response to The New York Instances, a grand jury may search an indictment as quickly as this week.
Lewis-Martin leaving a month sooner than anticipated
Lewis-Martin has been with Adams since he was a state senator in Brooklyn, and is among the final in his inside circle to go away workplace. Her departure comes a month sooner than anticipated.
In an announcement Sunday, she mentioned, partially, “Know that I’ll proceed to do all the pieces in my energy to struggle for this nice metropolis daily as a personal citizen. The time has come for me to give attention to my fantastic household and myself and retire.”
Adams launched an announcement on his high advisor’s resignation, saying, “Whereas we have lengthy deliberate for it, it’s nonetheless onerous to know that Ingrid will not be proper subsequent door daily. I, and each New Yorker, owe her a debt of gratitude for her many years of service to our metropolis.”
Lewis-Martin’s lawyer is anticipated to talk at a information convention on Monday.
The investigation of Lewis-Martin
On Sept. 27, federal brokers subpoenaed Lewis-Martin and seized her cellphone after she returned from a visit to Japan. On that very same day, investigators additionally searched her Brooklyn residence and Adams entered a not responsible plea on federal corruption expenses. His trial is scheduled for April, simply months earlier than he’ll search reelection.
In October, the Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace introduced it had opened an investigation into Lewis-Martin and 4 others, reportedly involving town’s leasing of business properties.
“We’re imperfect, however we’re not thieves,” Lewis-Martin mentioned on her lawyer’s radio present again in September. “And I do imagine that ultimately, that the New York Metropolis public will see that now we have not accomplished something unlawful to the magnitude or scale that requires the federal authorities and the DA workplace to research us.”
It is unclear what proof prosecutors are reportedly presenting to a grand jury panel, which may vote to indict.
Authorized professional JC Polanco instructed CBS Information New York Lewis-Martin’s state of affairs “just isn’t welcome information.”
“Look, the mayor is making an attempt very onerous to maneuver ahead, get town again in place, work with the incoming administration. The very last thing he wanted was any extra dangerous information coming down the pike,” Polanco added. “She has performed an vital position with union negotiations, zoning legal guidelines, working with the Metropolis Council. She’s has an extended, storied profession, and, now we have to recollect, as an lawyer, everybody right here is harmless till confirmed responsible.”
